Forum Discussion
Loosing my mind
My breast care nurse tells me it is normal to be a bit forgetful and I will return to normal after treatment. This is getting ridiculous I forget I have a tap running if I turn away from it! I can not leave the kitchen when I am cooking it case I forget what I am doing ( just saved the white sauce in a nick of time). Does any one else have this problem? I really do not know how anyone can work while on chemo. I do the farm office work so I am lucky working for myself I am flexible and I did give my kids(23,18) a crash course in Accounting and payroll before I went in for surgery. I can only concentrate in the morning the rest is a hard slog. I thought I would be back to normal for two weeks before next chemo, I am on 3 week cycle. As long as you can keep on laughing about it I suppose!
14 Replies
Thanks keep me posted on the trial. I saw that the cancer council are hosting webinar next week about chemo brain, if I remember I will join in ! Thanks for the encouragement and advise. I have handed oover sharp knives and the cooking to mum this week, I can not be trusted.??
Kim, I had my first day at the chemo brain study this week. Some of the stats say the vast majority of chemo patients (75%)are back to normal 12 months after finishing treatment. This is good to know. Just try not to burn the housedown:)
The study won't be finished for 12 months.
AnnaB
Hi Karen,
you are a trooper to have kept working, my hat is off to you!
I have lists too, mostly lists for my husband to do, he is working though them. Way does it take cancer to get the towel rake put up and pictures hung?
I also found just leaving what needs doing in the doorway helps. But you are right it is the words that fly out of my mind, spell check isn't even a help if the word goes before you start typing the first letter.
I will be interested to know the results of the study looking into chemo brain.
all the best
Kim
Hi Kim
yep chemo brain definitely exists. I worked part time throughout my 16 months of treatment. I wrote EVERYTHING down. To this day, I even make a list of my housework that needs to be done or I forget what I have to do. I could not have survived at work if it wasn't for my diary and my notes. I would quite often forget what I was saying or I just couldn't get the words out. Now when I can't think of what I want to say, I just say "camel". It's as good a word as any.
Karen xox
Now I definitely do not feel alone, thanks. But I run the business side of the farm, I really need this brain to defog soon.
Ok you made me laugh out loud!
Hi Kim,
I say that I am easily distracted these days! Got up to do something three times the other day and still didn't manage to do it and I am always finding the things I have started and forgotten about. Laughter is the only way for me too, you are not alone and we can laugh together!
Emma Xx
Yep vague and forgetful The other day I was getting my Tamoxifan from the chemist and I was reading the warning on the package and it says can affect your mental alertness, as I looked at my cardigan and it was on inside out. What do you do, I just laughed I have 10 years on this drug maybe by the time I finish I might forget my clothes. Ha Ha that would be a site. Life goes on sometimes you have to laugh at yourself.
take care keep laughing it will help you get to the endxx
I feel so much better now that I can say I am normal or at least chemo normal? Thanks I was wondering if it was dementia. Lol.
I feel the warmth, thank you. Excepting that poison is a big step. Now all I have to do is remember the joke?!!
